r/television • u/l4w_z0ne • Aug 15 '20
Robin Williams & Craig Ferguson - The Best Interview In The History Of Television
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvPxRyIWWX8•
u/vonvoltage Aug 15 '20
Someone compiled videos on YouTube from the Ferguson show, where if a person had been on the show 5 times, all 5 appearances are in chronological order in one video. Worth checking out. He is very quick and very funny.
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u/NotAnas Aug 16 '20
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u/vonvoltage Aug 16 '20
They definitely knew each other from their early standup days. I like to think so anyway.
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u/runrudyrun Aug 16 '20
I don't want to ruin the magic for you, but Gervais started stand up in the 90's while Ferguson was already established and starring in The Drew Carey Show. That doesn't mean that you can't imagine that they're really good friends, though.
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Aug 16 '20
The one where he impersonated a deaf person complaining about his jokes, followed by a blind one, just to annoy the censors, made me almost pee myself.
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u/1z0z5 Aug 15 '20
Craig always did the best interviews. That show was the best thing to happen in late night imo
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u/ForeverSeahawks Aug 15 '20 edited Aug 15 '20
I miss these two together. They threw such clever zingers towards one another. I hope Robin is at peace. I hope Craig gets his ass back on tv or the standup circuit soon... Covid-19 taken into consideration.
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u/twangman88 Aug 15 '20
We had Craig come to my theater back in November I think. It was a great show!
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u/ForeverSeahawks Aug 15 '20
Lucky you. Can’t wait until normalcy returns & craigy Craig comes thru our town.
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u/townkryer Aug 16 '20
I was watching Hobo Fabulous (kind of a miniseries about Craig interspersed with some stand-up segments) and I recall him saying he may not tour again :( although who knows if that will change now due to the current circumstances.
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u/WildeOpen Aug 15 '20
There is this on Amazon Prime (I haven't watched it yet so can't say if it's any good).
https://smile.amazon.com/Dying-Jokes/dp/B07Y6MRGMZ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=159OZ8E15HVYT
It's a Craig Ferguson series for anyone too lazy to click.
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u/ForeverSeahawks Aug 15 '20
Thanks for sharing! I’ve seen this series. Not one of my Ferguson favorites but better than most stuff on tv.
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u/_duncan_idaho_ Aug 15 '20
I love it when Craig loses it. I remember catching it live. "Chlamydia, your dad's here" left me unable to breathe for a minute.
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Aug 15 '20
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/DoubleDumpsterFire Aug 15 '20
Man, I must have been a shade too young for Ferguson. I don't remember that show being super funny but now I'm watching old clips and absolutely dying.
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u/redisforever Aug 16 '20
There's also this time when he almost pissed himself laughing at a joke he was trying to tell.
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u/Dan2593 Aug 15 '20
I live in the UK and used to watch Craig on YouTube in my teens and very early 20s.
The words “Chlamydia your dad’s here” pop into my head on a near daily basis.
Nobody I know has ever heard of Craig and it breaks me.
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u/Efficient_Paper FX Aug 15 '20
It's a great interview (Ferguson's interviews usually were), but calling it the best in history is a bit overstating it, especially when this exists.
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Aug 15 '20
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Aug 15 '20
Norm always pays off in the end.
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u/ColinZealSE Aug 15 '20
Norm always pays off in the end.
Frigging brilliant line from Norm there.
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u/Nokomisu Aug 15 '20
You have GOT to watch the trailer for Chairman of the Board. It’s even worse than I expected
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u/Please_Dont_Trigger Aug 16 '20
My wife dragged me to that when it released. We stood in line to see it. Trust me, the trailer does not prepare you for the real thing.
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u/Nokomisu Aug 16 '20
I can’t fathom waiting in line to view this. The debt your wife owes you for this is tremendous
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u/Please_Dont_Trigger Aug 16 '20 edited Aug 16 '20
There’s a sort of an amorphous gray area when a movie is so bad that you’ve just given up, and the audience is in the space of just trying to derive some level of entertainment from it.
The huge guy down in front with the cowboy hat is now trying to do an MSTK3 impression. The four high school girls a few rows over are trying to concoct a comedy routine of how they’re going to tell their friends about what it was like to see this movie. The guy a row down and a couple of seats over says to his wife in a loud, conversational voice, “Well, honey, I think we’re due a refund. I’ll go see about it”.
And your wife stands up and shouts, “Some of us are trying to watch this movie. Shaddup!”
The theater goes dead quiet except for whatever inane crap is on the screen. People turn around to look at her incredulously and you realize the vows weren’t just words - “... in sickness and health, until death do you part...” - that this is the sickness they were talking about. Besides Courtney Thorne-Smith is fucking gorgeous and it’s hot outside.
So you go get more popcorn and sneak into see The Big Lebowski like the coward you are. Much better movie. When you meet with your wife outside the theater, and she starts laying into you, you tell her about the movie you saw. You take her out for an ice cream sundae, heavy on the fudge. You make plans to see Jeff Bridges the next weekend.
That’s how adults handle these kinds of situations. Also, she’s never let me forget it. 20 years, and I still hear “you remember that one time…”
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u/LastMuel Aug 15 '20
Holy shit. I just checked out IMDB and she actually ended up on Norm’s TV show.
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u/MRintheKEYS Aug 15 '20
Honestly, she seems in on it. The joke. She gets the vibe. She just can’t keep up with Norm and Conan’s wit so she keeps breaking into laughter.
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u/CoinMarket2 Aug 15 '20
Or Crispin Glover's infamous pair of Letterman appearances
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u/Arma104 Aug 15 '20
Harmony Korine was even better.
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u/jimgatz Aug 15 '20
Joaquin Phoenix was good
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u/FattyMooseknuckle Aug 16 '20
One of my favorite lines of all time is when he said to Phoenix “I’m sorry you couldn’t be here.”
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u/Rehsul Aug 15 '20
OMG that was amazing. Norm in his prime 😹😹😹
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u/thedevilyousay Aug 15 '20
Norm’s still in his prime, comedically speaking. Thought they time was his prime handsomeness
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u/Imnottheassman Aug 16 '20
He’s a comedian’s comedian who has (basically) refused to sell out. Sure, he’s suffered professionally as a result, but a least he is who he is.
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u/garygreeley86 Aug 15 '20
So pleasing to a Norm fan, seeing a hyperlink with no context, and just knowing it’s going to be Norm.
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u/thedevilyousay Aug 15 '20
Omg thank you thank you. I knew you were going to post a Norm clip, and I hoped it was this one.
My YouTube home page is hilarious, because I went on a norm binge a little while ago. Now it’s my go-to diversion
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u/goblix Aug 15 '20
That was good, but this Ferguson and Williams interview completely blows that out of the water
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u/formerfatboys Aug 16 '20
Didn't laugh out loud a single time during Craig and Robin.
Didn't stop laughing after Norm leaned in and says, "are you talking about Melrose Place?
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u/runrudyrun Aug 15 '20
God this was such a great interview and it might not even be his best. The dude won a Peabody for dedicating a whole episode to interviewing Archbishop Desmond Tutu!
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u/Vinny331 Aug 15 '20
I watched Ferguson religiously during his whole run. Really miss that show. I still haven't brought myself to watch Corden ever. Poor substitute.
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u/mymindisbroke Aug 15 '20
CBS did Craig dirty
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u/Bobsburgersy Aug 15 '20
CBS never cared or was involved with Fegurson's show. There an interview out there where he talks about when he received a life time achievement award at a comedy award show and the CBS highlight reel didn't even have him in it despite him winning the biggest award at the show.
Turns out world wide pants was in charge of the late late show the entire time Letterman was on the channel and CBS gave zero craps about what they did as long as Dave stayed. Let us have this absolute gem of a show that can never be repeated, but it cost Craig a lot of money and recognition because CBS didn't care.
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u/frezz Aug 16 '20
yeah, he's talked about it before. One of the stipulations Letterman got when he re-signed was Worldwide Pants owned the late late show and he had final say on all matters related to it. So if Letterman thought Craig was funny (which he did) CBS couldn't do anything like it.
Basically anything like Craig's show will never happen again, because CBS won't let it
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u/Dishwasher_Blues Aug 15 '20
I've seen this a few times and Robin's speed never fails to amaze me. A good example is the bit at 18:20 where Georgia comes up in an email.
Craig: You know the devil went down to Georgia.
Robin: When, really, and what happened?
Craig: Devil went down to Georgia and [banjo noises and gestures]
Robin: laughs Devil went down to Georgia right there. Devil went down there had some fried food and went [redacted] I'm going back to hell.
Like that's a quality joke and Williams just made it up on the fly. Crazy improv chops.
Side note/fun fact: These two interviews were recorded in the same session, but aired a week apart. That's why Robin is wearing the same clothes and, at the beginning of the second one, they joke about Robin having gone to London over the past week
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Aug 16 '20
Dude you can't teach that kind of wit and range. I grew up as and will forever be a student of comedy and Robin had that otherworldly spark that we may very well never see again in this lifetime or the next.
I will never get tired of watching his mind piece things together all in the name of lightening up all the tight asses in the world.
Edit: Cool side note!
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u/LostPharoHD Aug 15 '20
Whenever I have a bad day or just get hit with the sad's pretty hard I rewatch this
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Aug 15 '20
I remember seeing Craig Ferguson in the late 80s on TV here in Scotland when he was performing as 'Bing Hitler' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m4wkYWEK4c
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u/Crazyfinley1984 Aug 15 '20
https://youtu.be/vPXwhMyPxtk This interview on the Dick Cavett show is my Personal favorite.
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Aug 15 '20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx6WPQkhUXI
the polar opposite mood, but also an amazingly great interview w/ Craig+Stephen Fry
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u/redisforever Aug 16 '20
And on a similar note, his interview with Archbishop Desmond Tutu is absolutely brilliant.
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u/BenVera Aug 15 '20
No other late night host could’ve done this other than Craig. He was the best. I’d love to see Fallon fucking try
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u/softsnowfall Aug 15 '20
Oh, thank you, OP!
I saw Robin Williams at Carnegie Hall. I laughed so much that I had sore muscles the next day. What a comic genius he was.
I had never seen any of these interviews. Watching them was bliss, and I have laughed so much again.
Thank you!
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u/FWAPTASTIC Aug 15 '20
I miss him all the time, sad reading the stuff where he talks about sad people trying to make everyone laugh :( Hope your resting easy buddy.
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u/softsnowfall Aug 15 '20
Love your comment.... I’m not sure why you got downvoted, but take my upvote.
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u/FWAPTASTIC Aug 15 '20
Awh thanks! :) Yeah not sure why someone would do that. Maybe a bot or something? Who doesnt love Robin freaking Williams? He was a great human, I actually got to met him when I was about 14 so maybe I'm a little biased :)
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u/softsnowfall Aug 15 '20
That must have been awesome!! I saw him at Carnegie Hall (didn’t meet him though). He was an amazing and brilliant guy. It’s impossible to be that quick-witted without being uber smart. I’m glad you got to meet him! Those are the kind of memories that quietly shape parts of who we are, I think.
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u/FWAPTASTIC Aug 16 '20
I met him in a bike shop in the east bay, he was picking up his bike and was there for over an hour holding court giving us all a show basically. I miss him all the time.
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u/softsnowfall Aug 16 '20
That’s a wonderful story!! An hour! Wow!
I always thought Robin Williams was a lot like Mork from Ork... goofy, innovative, open mind and heart, and a childish wonder that filled everyone around him with delight...
His eyes twinkled... like Santa Claus.
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u/ilikeitsharp Aug 15 '20
Of all the late night comedians, Craig was my favorite. These 2 guys in a room is a riot.
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u/yikesomalley Aug 16 '20
“Thanksgiving is coming up. Do you think that’s like the Rapture for turkeys?” Hahahah
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u/smwisch Aug 16 '20
Craig Ferguson was truly ahead of his time in terms of late night. No show quite like it. This video essay from Nerdwriter really did a great job illustrating what made him so different.
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u/strangelifereally Aug 15 '20
I like how he starts by ripping up the interview cards. Craig knew that with Robin there was no point in having prepared questions
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u/Mahaloth Aug 16 '20
I take it you did not watch Craig. He began every interview ripping up the cards.
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u/Zealot_Alec Aug 18 '20
CBS had no say on TLLS as it was a Worldwide Pants production, Letterman just let Craig be funny
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u/MrSinister248 Aug 15 '20
Not much I wouldn't give to have a Thanksgiving dinner with these two in attendance. Would be an epic night for sure.
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u/CGoode87 Aug 15 '20 edited Aug 15 '20
Thank you u/14w_z0ne I really needed that laugh. He really was a gem.
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u/OozeNAahz Aug 15 '20
His Inside the Actor’s Studio interview was by far the funniest thing I have ever seen. He was asked one question and went off on an improv that lasted what seemed like an hour.
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u/ocelot_lots Aug 15 '20 edited Aug 15 '20
Craig was always the best at having a podcast style TV interview. People just talking & being in the moment rather than pushing a product. If you've never see the youtube compliations of him & his female guests flirting, I'd highly recommend it.
And Robin....too much to say about him. He always make me, & I'm sure most of you, feel happy seeing him just be himself.
I hope you've found rest & peace, oh captain, my captain.
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u/Jlx_27 Aug 15 '20
Just about any Robin Williams interview can be put in the lost of top interviews of all time.
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u/UncleDan2017 Aug 15 '20
The funny thing about Craig Ferguson to me is that he is so quick witted, but he seems to have almost no memory of his past shows. He'd ask actors or celebrities the exact same questions in multiple visits, as if he had no idea he had interviewed the same person before.
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u/OrgasmicLeprosy87 Aug 16 '20
Never gonna get over that Craig was replaced by James fucking Corden. Who’s only claim to fame are his segments just like Fallon.
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u/The_Original_Gronkie Aug 16 '20
I learned to really dislike those 1000 mph Robin Williams interviews. He was such an interesting and smart person, and I would love to have known more about him as a person, but I think he felt obligated to do his out-of-control shtick whenever the camera was on him. Sure it was funny, but after awhile it became obvious that he was using it to cover insecurities, and in those moments I felt sorry for him.
I would love to see an interview where he just talks about his life, his art, the people who were important to him, his training, etc., without him leaping up and saahaying across the stage with some crazy accent. It must have been exhausting for him.
What a genius. I still miss him.
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u/LeoLaDawg Aug 24 '20
I never watched Craig, or any late night shows. Feel like I missed something special with him.
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u/Counciltuckian Aug 15 '20
At most, this is the 2nd best Robin Williams interview considering this exists: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0611309/
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u/clwill00 Aug 16 '20
This. That Inside the Actors Studio interview was one of the best things I’ve ever seen.
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u/ugly_monsters Aug 15 '20
Loved Robin Williams as an actor. Don't think he's funny. Honestly felt bad when I first realized that.
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u/Cow_In_Space Aug 15 '20
Comedy is far more subjective than dramatic acting. I can absolutely see why someone wouldn't like Williams' mile-a-minute style while still enjoying his more dramatic roles.
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u/Algaean Aug 15 '20
Interesting, but I also preferred his dramatic roles. He really nailed his parts. He could read a room and a situation like nobody else.
Edit: it was Groucho Marx who once said that comedians are the best dramatic actors, in one of his autobiographies.
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u/ezclapper Aug 16 '20
It seems like he just doesn't filter, so his jokes are super inconsistent. Sometimes he comes up with something good, but then the next sentence he says the most unfunny and forced shit possible.
I think it's a consequence of his high quantity/energy improv style. He just says the first thing he thinks of, all the time.
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u/aleighslo Aug 15 '20
I used to be an extra in the audience on that show a lot. Was surprised they had to pay audience members.
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u/LurkintheMurkz Aug 15 '20
Love watching with auto generated subtitles. Just adds more layers of unintentional comedy
"The GIMP that keeps on giving"
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u/xerocube Aug 15 '20
I hadn’t intended to watch the entire thing, but I did and loved every minute. Thanks for the detour, OP!
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u/Phatbrew Aug 15 '20
Thanks for posting!!! That was awesome!!! Loved how they truly enjoyed each other’s sense of humor!!!
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u/Lettu51 Aug 15 '20
There is actually a finnish punk band named klamydia. They started in early 90’s.
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u/AdmiralRed13 Aug 15 '20
Mel Brooks in Carson is pants pissing funny. They cancelled the other guests and let Mel go for like an hour. Carson was 90 minutes at the time.
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u/skywalker_g Aug 15 '20
RW has such a sad eyes mostly in this interview. he's funny and everything, but it looks more like acting than having good time
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u/OShaunesssy Aug 16 '20
I disagree, although its a very good game, I think Donkey Kong is the greatest game ever
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u/BayAreaThrowAway03 Aug 16 '20
Did they do this backwards? The papers from the emails are on the floor already in the first interview...
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u/usherMocha Aug 16 '20
This was a great interview and a joy to watch. One of my favorites is with Bob Hope, Dean Martin, and George Gobel on Johnny Carson. https://youtu.be/pbpc-NJHcZ8
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Aug 16 '20
Miss both those guys of course tragic with Robin. He always had so much energy in public was infectious so sad is private less was so dark for him.
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u/LikesTheTunaHere Aug 18 '20 edited Aug 18 '20
Amazing as this clip is and I love robin williams, i dont think it comes close to this.
Nicole Kidman explaining to jimmy fallon that he had a chance with her in the 90's when she was a total smoke show. You can watch him realize that he had a chance with her and totally pissed it away without even knowing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtsNbxgPngA&list=FL4d3ra87bOjRCFLFuIgP0XQ&index=125
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u/johngie Aug 15 '20
That was exhausting to watch (in a good way). Those guys are going a mile a minute. Where does that energy and wit come from?